Chapter 15

Xander - "Why am I here, somehow I just knew to come here? Why? Why is your scent unreadable?"

Esmeralda aka Selene -

"The young prince, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to you as well. I'm Esmeralda, the great granddaughter of Zeus, and I am a wizard. I knew you were coming, I get visions, perhaps you should send your detective home, the girl that you seek is somewhere in this city."

Xander -

I gave the tracker permission to travel back. I promised to send him a check and thanked him for his help. Seeing that the tracker I hired left.

Esmeralda -

"Come on in your highness. Have a seat at the table, I have hot tea waiting for you and a muffin."

Xander -

I see a table off into another room, what I assume to be the dining room. Taking a seat at the table, I look around. I drink a cup of tea as I do so. I love the smell of strawberry and chamomile, and I love the fact that the muffins are homemade and taste delicious.

Esmeralda-

The soon-to-be king enjoys his tea as I watch. There is a plan I have in mind, and I am uncertain he will like it. If he wants to win the heart of his fair maiden, then he does not have any choice but to do so.

Walking into the dining room, sitting quietly at first, sipping my tea. I am sure he is wondering when I will speak. I am in no hurry.

"Your highness, I see you want to find your, mate, am I correct?"

There is a nod of agreement from the Alpha.

"I know she is in this town from her aura. Please do not be too excited since she cloaks herself in a magical disguise. Tell me your highness, why does this young she-wolf run from you?"

Xander -

This woman seems to know everything, I wonder is she is spelling me as I feel so comfortable telling her anything.

"Truthfully, I don't understand why she runs from, no woman has ever turned me down and they definitely do not run from me."

Esmeralda -

"Tell me young prince, did you keep the covenant with the moon goddess and save yourself for your mate?"

As I watch, I could see the young prince looking regretful. The look passes before his eyes so quickly that if I have not been watching, I would have missed it.

Xander -

"Most male wolves don't wait for their women to mate sexually. It is hard to keep myself away from all the beautiful women that desire to be my mate. However, I can't even think of another female mate now that we have made the bond. She should run to me, I am the future king, and many women would like to be her."

Esmeralda -

During your reign as king, are you planning to rule your people by making excuses? Imagine the consequences if your mate were to sleep around as much as you do. You see she has heard all the rumors about you being a male whore.

That angers her and her wolf. Now, she has waited for her mate to come, only to find they mate her to the male whore. What if she had been liking you and slept with everyone who thought she was so lovely?"

My ears perk up when I hear the prince's wolf's growl.

"That's what I thought too. Think of it this way, you're lucky she will ever give you a chance, she can't trust you."

Xander -

I feel like I've been such a jerk all this time. Normally, I would allow no one to talk to me in such a way, but there is something about this woman that I trust implicitly.

Having felt defeated, I wonder, "What should I do now?"

Esmeralda -

"First, she lives here, but so do 10 other she-wolves around her age. Second, I will give you a camouflage spell. You will have an Alpha aura, and still look gorgeous. You will have golden-brown hair and be 6'2".

When you and she have fallen in love, and not by the mate bond, the spells will break, and you will see each other the way you truly are. You are liable to have lots of temptations, as you know she-wolves can smell out Alphas. This is your time to shine or give up."

Xander -

There's something I don't understand. Why can't I just grab her and get out of here? It just dawn on me she's determined to keep running. Esmeralda believes love has to be earned before it can be given. I sigh and agree with the plan Esmeralda comes up with.

I watch as Esmeralda chants some words I could not even understand. Then she gives me a mirror.

Esmeralda -

You are now Alpha James; you left your pack after Luna died. Staying there with all your memories of your mate, you could no longer trust you wouldn't go feral.

(Xander) -

I nod, remembering the back story she tells me. Esmeralda lets me into the basement apartment, which is adequate and has everything I need. A living room, dining room, kitchenette, and bedroom with a fireplace. While wolves would need a fireplace, we always run hot.

They fill my closets with clothes my size and credit cards with my brand-new name. Wow, Esmeralda takes this seriously.

I notice on the wall by the door is a schedule of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a warning printed on the sign that states, "DON'T BE LATE OR YOU WILL NOT BE SERVED. "

I grimace as I realize I have never been treated this way. However, I want my queen, so I will endure such treatment.

I take a pair of sweats from the closet, as I am going to relax from a long trip and take on my new role in the morning. I turn on the tv, and notice there is a game system, well alright then. I play some online games.

My stomach growls, I look over at the food in the storage area of the kitchenette. I forget I have always been served; I don't know how to cook. I look at the schedule and realize it is almost lunchtime. I head out my door and up the stairs and notice several she-wolves helping Emerald into the kitchen. I walk in asking Emerald what I could do to help. She points at items on a top shelf, and I gladly get them for her.

The she-wolves are all gawking at me smiling and winking, ever since the bond, I am not the man I was before, it actually disgusts me with how flirtatious they are.